The Cloisters

A branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), The Cloisters is a museum and gardens dedicated to medieval art. The name of the attraction, which opened to the public in 1938, comes from five medieval cloisters, all of which are woven into the museum’s design. Along with strolling through the gardens, visitors can take in paintings, tapestries, chapels, carvings and halls designed for different periods. For example, while The Late Gothic Hall showcases 15th century limestone windows and altarpieces from Germany, Italy and Spain, The Romanesque Hall features stone portals from 12th and 13th-century French churches. For those who want a more in-depth experience, opt for an audio guide and listen to interviews with educators, curators and conservators, as well as some Medieval music for an immersive experience. If you’re hungry, grab a sandwich or pastry at the Trie Cafe. Additionally, don’t forget to enjoy the impressive views of the Hudson River from The Cloisters hilltop setting.

The Cloisters are located at 99 Margaret Corbin Drive in Fort Tryon Park. To get there, you can take the A train to 190th Street and walk north along Margaret Corbin Drive for 10 minutes to the attraction or transfer to the M4 bus and ride one stop. The Cloisters are open from March through October, Tuesday-Sunday from 9:30am-5:15pm, and November through February, Tuesday-Sunday from 9:30am-4:45pm. They are closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, December 25 and January 1. Suggested admission -- meaning you can actually choose what to donate -- is $25 for adults, $17 for seniors, $12 for students and free for members and children under 12. This includes entrance into the Main Building and special exhibitions.